got home from work and helped DH with dinner. We kinda mixed together what we were supposed to have with a Tasty video. It turned out really very good. We used sweet potatos, hamburger meet and spinach. I was going to take a picture, but trust me when I say it was NOT pretty. tasty, but not pretty.

Slept ok, but not used to getting up 45 minutes earlier because I changed my schedule for the Move class. And then, it's very true how traffic changes as well, but I will deal with this.

B: toast, peanut butter, banana - 304

iced coffee (milk and mix) - 223

L: mixed green salad with figs, almonds and goat cheese - 313

D: should be salmon - we will see

Have postcards to send out tonight.

have a great evening IP

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

Donkey on 01/10/2018:
17 inches?????? Wow, that would make me want to hibernate until March. I hope the weather folks are exaggerating. Stay safe!

innerpeace on 01/11/2018:
Yeah well, today it has been decreased to 6 inches of snow with possible freezing rain and ice. I think they do a lot of CYA (cover your @ss). the winds changed, it didn't get as cold as expected or something. It will be an interesting weekend.

horn_of_plenty on 01/13/2018:
Yeah glad you don't have to clean up 17 inches :-)

Also your meals sound fabulous !!!!!

Nice job as usual!!

InnerPeace - Tuesday Jan 09, 2018

Weight: 303.7

I think I have the best DH in the world. I told him I ran out of window washer fluid coming to work today and he came by my work and brought me a DDP and window fluid and filled up the resovoir. He can be so thoughtful sometimes.

Today's word is sleepy. I am having difficulty staying awake and, it's not even 2:00 pm yet. Makes for a seriously long day.

Dinner last night was a baked chicken breast with guacamole and brocolli, it was pretty good I had to cut the stalks of the brocolli but DH did well.

D: chicken, brocolli, guacamole - 462 calories

S: balanced break - because I was starving.

Ended the day with 1354 calories

DH and I walked the dog. It was an adventure putting booties on my dog. His little feet get so cold he only makes it a few houses down the block. With the booties on, he make it all the way around.

Ending the day with 1354 calories.

Tuesday:

B: oatmeal, walnuts, a little mape syrup - 228 calories

L: pita pocket, apples, spring mix, tomatos --458 calories

S: orange - 62 calories

D: TBD - supposed to be somthing with sweet potato and black bean. This may be changed a little.

DH starts his new job the 22nd, so excited for him.

Have a great evening!

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

horn_of_plenty on 01/09/2018:
lately i'm sleepy and i know why...i'm totally procrastinating at work and not doing too much work as of late at work. i think to myself how stupid i am lately...that i don't push myself...i only push myself to exercise. it's definitely something i obsess on. but thing is, like obsessing on it.

your food looks fabulous! so proud of your hubby doing better with the daytime position. so it worked out after all!

Donkey on 01/09/2018:
I wanted to congratulation you and hubby for his new job and his hours! I hope that you will find it much more conducive to a happy family life.

innerpeace on 01/10/2018:
Thanks! And it is. His stupid employer put him on 3rd shift after he was gone for seven weeks after knee replacement surgery. It was like a punishment or something. And when he requested vacation, they told him he couldn't go because he had already been gone for seven weeks. Yeah, like vacation and surgery are the same thing!

Life will surely be more enjoyable...as well as sleep.

InnerPeace - Monday Jan 08, 2018

Weight: 303.7

Doing everything right and eating right and gain weight! THIS, this right here is why people fail, why people give UP!! Why when you work so hard and plan and cook and the scale still doesn't show all of your hard work. This is so discouraging.

So weighing this morning already p!ssed me off. I couldn't find my yoga pants that I usually wear to work. You know the soft, black ones that almost look dressy. They are stretchy and thin and very comfortable. Yeah, those...they just got up and left my closet and are hiding, no where to be found. I wanted to wear them to weigh in at the VA clinic, but not today, I guess.

Leaving early because of snow and ice and traffic, I spilled my iced latte in the garage all over crap. I will maybe clean it up when I get back home, it will be frozen by then.

So I will go to the Move meeting and weight in, and trust me, I will be heavier with all the clothes on and this will make me feel even worse about the whole thing. Weighing in everyday is truely detrimental to my state of mind and yes, I know...it is just a number and it does not define me. I feel better and maybe my clothes fit better and all that, but still I would like something concrete to see and look at as a reminder that what I'm doing is at least making some kind of dent in the whole of things.

I will find those pants though!

Have a good day! IP

Went to the MOVE meeting. A bunch of old guys trying to one up each other and a little old lady who was rail thin and could have been knocked over by a stiff breeze. I sat through the meeting. Maybe I have a different relationship with food and need a different kind of meeting - may over eater's anonymous and abstinence. I'll give it another week.

DH got a new job and will be starting in two weeks, well, if his current job lets him stay that is. They are known to escort people off the property after they give their two weeks notice. We will see.

I'm very happy, he will be back on first shift and NO weekends! This makes me happies of all.

Got home last night and helped DH with dinner. It was roasted vegetables with polenta. We didn't have polenta so I used corn meal. I really didn't know corn meal cooked that way, but it turned out delicious. All the while chopping up the vegetables, i kept thinking how HOP would be proud.

sweet potatoes, beets, onion, carrots, brussel sprouts

With the corn meal and goat cheese

Ended the night with 1272 calories. Very happy these last five days have been tolerable. Starting to think, I just might be able to do it longer. One day at a time.

Saturday morning:

B: oatmeal, blueberries

I spent all day and evening helping the girl get her book report finished. She finished the book at 11:00 this morning. It is now after 8:00 and the report is done. OMG so, so tired right now.

I did put booties and a jacket on my dog and took him for a walk. We both got cold. Tomorrow it is supposed to warm up for a few days.

Have a great night! IP

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

Donkey on 01/07/2018:
So glad the book report is DONE :-) That was very nice of you to help her with that.

InnerPeace - Friday Jan 05, 2018

Weight: 303.7

Didn't really get much work accomplished - just that time of month I suppose.

On the way home it was 10 degrees and a man was standing on the side of hte road asking for money. My thought at the time is, it's 10 degrees, this man must really need money or else he'd be home or somewhere else trying to get warm. He had camouflage on and I handed him a $20 bill. I don't know what he will do with it, but I just know he was cold and maybe, just maybe, he bought a hot meal with it. I didn't need the $20 just then. So, I felt better about myself.

I told DH when I got home, and then gave him the other $20 I had, in case the man was standing there today when I drive home, or else my heartstrings would have probably handed that over as well. But dang 10 degrees, I would be sitting at McDonald's or something.

DH and I made dinner, the dressing was kind of messed up and looks nasty but it tastes rather good. It was a salad with grilled chicken. 473 calories.

Ended the day with 1292 calories. Happy with this. I still do NOT like yellow or red bell peppers. I am still tasting them from 10:00 am this morning. GROSS!

I really like goat cheese.

So I picked up a pen pal, funny thing is, she lives less than 200 miles away, but I like writing letters. I also sent a letter to the last known address of my father before he died. I wanted the names of some half brothers and sisters I have running around, that I have never met. Maybe, someone will know something at that address. If not, I will never know.

Tonight we have the girl. She hasn't had school for the last two days, making plenty of time to read. But last night she still had 97 pages to go, so I doubt she will be finished. Oh well, I will deal with this at that time.

Regarding your roasted root veggies, I roasted a Daikon yesterday which is a radish. It’s white and looks like a white carrot like a parsnip. However, it tasted HORRIBLE roasted! It’s too bland. So, if you find any daikons, do NOT roast them by themselves. Now I understand why the Asians folks always serve it in a sauce or soup! It’s just horrible roasted. To bland and flavorless and even adding salt and pepper doesn’t help weirdly enough. Most veggies, especially root ones, taste GREAT roasted I was so surprised there’s a root veggie out there that just tastes terrible when roasted. I’ll still eat it rather than waste it…but I def learned a lesson regarding the daikon!

Lots a lot of $$$ you gave that man – don’t make too much a habit of that or you’ll be down LOTS of cash! I used to give beggers but now less so – because there are too many beggers around here. It’s constant that they are asking for cash and it adds up…once in awhile I will, but usually not. When I do, I feel better about myself too….but you just never know about them. It’s sad either way – so many homeless in our country.

A lot of the homeless hate shelters, etc., and I think they’d rather freeze. I think they feel safer outside…from danger and other people, that is.

I hear goat cheese is pretty low fat and a good alternative to other cheeses right? Feta I know is pretty healthy. … GREAT job on the salad, looks like a balsamic vinaigrette type dressing? Looks amazing! Balsamic type dressings are my preference over creamy / cheesy ones!

Girlie needs to finish her book in segments, not all at once. Help her with this as I mentioned to you previously! Let her read 15 pages, take 20 minute break….etc. until she is done!

BearCountryGG on 01/05/2018:
Your dinner looks really good....I've never had goat cheese but I have had goat milk...and it was stinky and disgusting.....is the cheese stinky?

Innerpeace on 01/06/2018:
I didn't think so. It was actually pretty good. Very tangy, but I liked that.

happy-1 on 01/05/2018:
Goat cheese is amazing, especially with beets and blackberries.

How did you acquire a pen pal?

Innerpeace on 01/06/2018:
I do Postcrossing - it is cool. Check it out..postcrossing.com that is just a postcard exchange, which is really cool. I just been in over a couple of months and have received 18 post cards from around the world.

Anyway, this lady just like a postcard and asked to be pen pals, she is a retired school teacher and lives in Columbus, not too far away, but it's neat, for me at least.

Donkey on 01/06/2018:
Bless you for your charitable heart! I get where Horn is coming from, but that was a very nice thing you did. You may have made a huge difference. IDK, I'd rather err on the side of generosity.

happy-1 on 01/06/2018:
Love your neighbor like yourself and all that jazz. Good karma!

InnerPeace - Thursday Jan 04, 2018

Weight: 303.7

Cold here in Cleveland as well. Lots of school closings and business closings - yet I work.

Girl is out of school today and tomorrow- there should be no reason she shouldn't get her book read. DH had her reading when I got home, she wasn't happy, I wasn't happy and he sure wasn't happy. If she is not finished with that book I am tempted to refuse to help her with that stupid presentation! DH text the POS mom and all she said was " she can work on it with you this weekend" WTF!! And then DH is like, "sorry, I can't be of more help!" Excuse me...is it MY job to help your daughter? Is this expected of me now? OMG so, so frustrated.

I've always been told that if someone doesn't want to learn, you can't make them. If someone want's to learn, you can't stop them. Well it is sorely apparently this child has no initiative to learn, no self discipline to make herself read this book! All she said was, "I didn't realize this book was so hard, next time I will read an easier one." She is in 7th grade and the book is a 5th grade reading level. Priorities!!

Anyway, I let them know what I thought and argument ensued with DH and then the little heifer didn't even say goodbye when she left. But I'm supposed to be the bigger person and help? WTFE!! I could surely say, Not my kid, not my problem right now!

Dinner was good. Salmon, asparagus (which was ok, sure has a woody fibrous texture I was not too sure about, but I ate it) quinoa - 476 caloriers

Ended the day with 1359 calories. I'm ok with this. Following the eatingwell plan so far, except for my added milk and iced latte in the mornings.

Overslept big time this am, didn't roll out of bed until 6;22, makes for me to have to really rush around.

B: non fat greek yogurt, blueberries, walnuts - 164 calories

L: quinoa, black brean bowl with avocado and salsa with hummus dressing - nice little lunch bowl. I wasn't sure whether to eat it cold or warm it up. I warmed it up. It was very tasty. - 380 calories.

Again I'm just amazed at the creativity of people and putting food together. This is so much better than the same ham and cheese sandwich we would throw together for everyday!

S: yellow peppers, hummus - 90 calories

D: tonight should be baked/grilled chicken and salad.

Try and keep warm out there! IP

Just asked my boss if I could go to my Move Program. He said I could come in thrity minutes early, each day and use that 2 hours for my program on Monday. I am at least excited for now. We will see how it all works out. My new fear is that I'm going to be in a room with a bunch of old veteran men and I'll have to reach deep down and find my 'crass-BS-talking self', but maybe not!

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

BearCountryGG on 01/04/2018:
Your meals do look good!!! I totally agree with you theory on learning.....it makes all of the sense in the world. I think you will find that her interest in books will improve if she starts reading books about what her interests are,I'm not sure if this book was assigned...but if she is free to choose..then she needs to do some soul searching and choose something she has a real interest in....I think that will help....the other possibility is that she has given you the job of pushing her...and she waits for the orders to be given. I will say...junior high is my least favorite age group....

Donkey on 01/04/2018:
I look forward to your food pics every day. Looks so tasty!

Sorry you had to work also! To maybe make you feel like you aren’t the only one working, my sister did go to work yesterday in NYC. She lives in NYC and commutes using public trans to her office also in NYC. So, despite myself being off, and my dad’s work closing early, my sister was at work all day yesterday.…

I agree with you – tell her you will only help her when she’s done with the book and she needs to finish it on your terms. Explain to her a good way to read the book is in half hour chunks with breaks. Let her read a half hour and go on FB for a half hour…she has to learn to work and be allowed a break and then go back to work….but help her get it done…within reason…and tell her she needs to finish and give her an appropriate deadline…I’m in full agreement with you and definitely NOT her mom…

NO JOKE – here at work people are discussing the word you just used “heffer!” they are saying it’s a 1994 word…not sure why…lol, I consider it an ok word for now….not sure why it’s not….but my coworkers are not the smartest of the bunch….so I’ll just say Heffer is a fine word to use nowadays lol….

Dinner of the salmon and greens looks great. Regarding your desire to have milk and morning lattes: ENJOY! You don’t have to follow any plan to the “T.” There’s always a little wiggle room. It’s not gonna cause weight gain and will still help your weightloss. KEEP ON. Nothing needs to be perfect. Remember this. You are doing GREAT! Proud of you!

Don’t take the little girl seriously. She’s acting like any other complacent kid when it comes to studying. But yes, impose your limits on her…but with moderation. Explain to her how she can read, then take a break for facebook or lunch, then go back. HALF HOUR increments. Maybe say she can watch a movie on weekend at home with you guys, if she finishes the book and book report earlier than expect. REWARD good choices – make it a good thing to get work done. You got this. KEEP ON, Innerp!

your cooking looks outstanding! yum yum yum! great photos!

happy-1 on 01/05/2018:
Have you guys tried taking turns reading aloud? Passing it around to hear the next section? If she's having learning /studying problems, sometimes the issue is overcoming inertia. If you or her dad help her get started for 15 minutes, she might be able to finish her homework herself.

Innerpeace on 01/06/2018:
I just think she picked a book she ended up not liking. It was like having to read Uncle Tom's Cabin in school, you really didn't want to, so actually reading it was tortuous.

InnerPeace - Wednesday Jan 03, 2018

Weight: 303.7

Day 3 - still trying to spin a way to propose my schedule change to my boss - hopefully I'll ask today. He just always looks so busy and I always feel I'm interrupting or imposing. But then sometimes I hear him talk about fantasy football, so I just need to listen and then go in right after that conversation.

I present to you...baked sweet potatoe with steamed kale and black beans with a hummus drizzle... OMG this was so, so good. Unbelievalby good. I mean who says, "hey let's mix this all together and see how it tastes." Whoever it was...I thank you.

Dinner: sweet potatoe, kale, black beans, hummus - 282 calories

Ended the night with 1345 calories. I could have had some cucumber slices afterward but instead I just went to bed. It was so cold.

The good news...no humming and I slept very good, especially with DH being home another night.

B: toast, peanut butter, 1/2 banana - 252 calories

L: mixed greens, goat cheese, figs, almond salad with balsamic vinegrette - again - I would never dream of eating this on my own, and it was very, very good. suprised by the tanginess of the goat cheese, but so good.

Tonight is salmon, quinoa and asparagas. Not sure about this asparagus thing, but I bought it, so I'm going to eat it.

The girl didn't have school today, too cold. So hopefully she read a lot, we will see.

Have a great evening - stay warm IP

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

BearCountryGG on 01/03/2018:
The nutrition in those meals was through the roof.....good going!!!!!

InnerPeace - Tuesday Jan 02, 2018

Weight: 303.7

It was miserable to get back to work this morning. I was awake I know three times last night and what do I hear...a loud @ss humming noise, I swear it was even louder during the quiet of the night. This morning at breakfast, I told DH I hope those people call you back, I can't listen to this anymore. He went outside and turned it off. And then I heard a hissing noise, so I'm like WTH is that? The hum stopped and now there's a loud hissing I have to deal with. A loud hum or hiss, which one? Anyway, I walked into the kitchen and it was the electric tea kettle. LOL, so tonight should be pretty quiet...and I could die of Radon gas poisoning. DH is like there wasn't a vent in this house for 15 years, I'm sure we'll be OK, until the people come and check on it.

I still haven't got the nerve up to ask my boss if I could leave to participate in the VA Move program - it is during work on Monday's and I would be gone about 2 hours. I would change my schedule to compensate for the time away, I just don't want to use my sick leave or annual leave AND I don't want anyone to b!tch about it! that is really what I'm concerned about...other people's nose in my business. First class is next Monday.

Our biggest loser competition we signed up for was posponed until 1/13/18 - because of low enrollment. I guess we'll see if this kicks off or not.

So the girl will be in hot water this weekend if she doesn't get her book read. I've been on her before Christmas break to read, but she hasn't. I made her read over 100 pages when she was here last weekend. I talked to her last night, she's only read 30 additional pages. She has over 140 to go and I just don't think she'll get it finished to complete her book report this weekend. Again, I blame this on her selfish mother who doesn't push her to excel...at anything but flipping through the iphone! And then when I make her read, she has plans and needs to leave early! OK whatever, how about you take all the book report home to your mother and ya'll work on it there! Leave me out of it, but I know I just can't do that!

Yes, yes I am devestated and heart broken that my Sooners lost in doublt OT - they tried and just couldn't pull it out!

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

BearCountryGG on 01/02/2018:
We had the radon problem at our house downstate for 32 years....I wonder if that's a midwest thing...because it's hard to escape it in Michigan I know...we have never tested for it here...and we have a wood basement.....we never did have a radon vent.

horn_of_plenty on 01/02/2018:
LOL wishing you NO NOISE tonight girlie!

excellent healthy eating. make sure to eat enough.

GREAT food food. very healthy and nice and not inflammatory.

i am working also on eating better...although tonight it'll be takeout....so i can cook without being hungry!

InnerPeace - Monday Jan 01, 2018

Weight: 303.7

Happy New Year! I don't think it got about 14 degrees here so I basically have been holed up in the house for the last three days.

I did venture outside to see if I could find where an annoying noise is coming from. I think last Tuesday I woke up thinking someone was snowblowing, but then the noise never stopped, so then I thought someone was hooked up to a generator. Today I drove around the block and couldn't hear it, so I walked around in my back yard and finally found it. It is from a Raydon gas vent that was installed in my house. I called the people today to see if they can send someone out to make it stop. It's just a loud annoying humming noise that gets on my last nerve. Think of if someone is mowing no stop about two housing down, that is what it sounds like.

So DH and I started the healthy eating today. Today was OK. just OK. Sometimes I'm not sure if DH is serious or he just says sh!t to p!ss me off!

Ended the day with 1,054 calories - This may seem low, but I am not hungry and I can still eat another snack if needed.

We are following the January Jumpstart from eatingwell.com

I received a call from my son in Georgia and his marriage is not doing well, he called and his wife was really upset. After talking to them for about an hour, I don't think anything was resolved, but before midnight I got a text telling me everything was OK, now. I just hope they work things out. I worry about him and wish I could see him.

Anyway, I am very hopeful for a healithier 2018.

IP

Progress as of today: 17.9 lbs lost so far, only 93.7 lbs to go!

happy-1 on 01/01/2018:
After those pics we are all headed to your house for dinner.

BearCountryGG on 01/01/2018:
The pics look delish.......You can do this...even if hubby isn't into it...

horn_of_plenty on 01/02/2018:
Great you found the noise! I also commented on your other entry. Your cooking looks fantastic. Speaking of cauli, i'm making cauliflower fried rice tonight (but without the other frozen veg bc i didn't buy them...) so just cauli fried rice. YUM.

take care.....good that things are ok with your son for now and his wife. marriage takes WORK.